Trail conditions
Banff National Park
Important information
Be extra cautious when engaging in any activities to avoid injury and/or getting lost to help minimize the demands placed on emergency response, search and rescue teams, and on the health care system.
CAUTION! Avalanche danger
You are responsible for your own safety. Check the Avalanche Bulletin for the latest conditions.
Vehicle parking is limited to designated areas only. Roadside parking is prohibited. Signage and monitoring will be used throughout the park to inform the public of parking restrictions and encourage compliance.
Dogs are not allowed on some of the groomed ski trails. Refer to the information below for restrictions. Keep dogs on leash and under physical control at all times.
Wildlife and you
Although bears are denning during the winter, they can awaken at any time for short periods. Cougars, wolves and other wildlife remain active throughout the year. Travel in groups, make noise, carry bear spray and know how to use it.
Closures and restrictions
For a complete list of ongoing closures and restrictions, please visit our Important Bulletins page.
For more information, please contact us:
Banff: 403-762-1550
Lake Louise: 403-522-3833
Share your trail pictures
Have you been hiking in the last few days? Share a few pictures with us as well as your impressions. This will help us keep this report accurate for other hikers.
Banff Area Cross-Country Ski Trails
Recent tracksetting: Jan 17 - Cascade Valley Trail (Lake Minnewanka parking lot to Cascade River bridge, Cascade River bridge to Stoney Creek, Lake Minnewanka parking lot to Upper Bankhead); Jan 4 - Goat Creek Trail, Spray River West Trail
| Rating | Trail | Condition | Comment | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Easy |
Tunnel Mountain Winter Trails | Poor. | 18-01-2025: Thin snow cover; No dogs allowed; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Spray River Winter: West Trail | Poor. | 04-01-2025: Snowmobile packed; Trail groomed; Double trackset classic and skate; Thin snow cover; No dogs allowed; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Spray River Winter: East Trail | Ungroomed. | 18-01-2025: Insufficient snow for tracksetting for cross-country skiing; Skier tracked; Thin snow cover over uneven surface. More snow is needed to cover rocks, roots and creeks; No dogs allowed; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Sundance Winter Trail | Poor. | 20-01-2025: Thin snow cover; Snowmobile packed; No dogs allowed; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Healy Creek Winter Trail | Poor. | 18-01-2025: Snowmobile packed; Insufficient snow for tracksetting for cross-country skiing; Thin snow cover over uneven surface. More snow is needed to cover rocks, roots and creeks; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Cascade Valley Winter Trail: Lake Minnewanka parking lot to Upper Bankhead | Good. | 17-01-2025: Double trackset classic and skate; No dogs allowed; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Cascade Valley Winter Trail: Lake Minnewanka parking lot to Cascade River bridge | Fair. | 17-01-2025: Double trackset classic and skate; Thin snow cover; No dogs allowed; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Cascade Valley Winter Trail: Cascade River bridge to Stoney Creek | Fair. | 17-01-2025: Single trackset classic and skate; No dogs allowed; | Trail details |
 Moderate |
Goat Creek Winter Trail | Poor. | 04-01-2025: Single trackset classic and skate; No dogs allowed; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Brewster Creek Winter Trail | Poor. | 18-01-2025: Insufficient snow for tracksetting for cross-country skiing; Thin snow cover over uneven surface. More snow is needed to cover rocks, roots and creeks; Icy sections; | Trail details |
Banff Area Winter Walking Trails
| Rating | Trail | Condition | Comment | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Easy |
Fenland Winter Trail | Variable winter conditions. | 20-01-2025: Compact snow; Slippery sections; Cleats recommended; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Marsh Winter Loop | Variable winter conditions. | 20-01-2025: Compact snow; Slippery sections; Cleats recommended; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Spray Winter Connector | Variable winter conditions. | 20-01-2025: Compact snow; Icy sections; Cleats recommended; No dogs allowed; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Stewart Canyon Winter Trail | Variable winter conditions. | 20-01-2025: Compact snow; Icy sections; Cleats recommended; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Johnston Canyon Winter Trail | Variable winter conditions. | 20-01-2025: Compact snow; Icy sections; Cleats recommended; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Tunnel Mountain Summit Winter Trail | Variable winter conditions. | 20-01-2025: Compact snow; Icy sections; Cleats recommended; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Sulphur Mountain Winter Trail | Caution. | 20-01-2025: Compact snow; Slippery sections; Icy sections; Flood ice; Cleats recommended; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Sundance Canyon Winter Trail | Variable winter conditions. | 20-01-2025: Compact snow; Icy sections; Cleats recommended; | Trail details |
Banff Area Snowshoeing Trails
| Rating | Trail | Condition | Comment | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Easy |
Tunnel Mountain Drive - Winter | Variable winter conditions. | 20-01-2025: Slippery sections; Thin snow cover. Early winter conditions; Cleats recommended; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Johnson Lake Winter Trail | Variable winter conditions. | 20-01-2025: Slippery sections; Thin snow cover. Early winter conditions; Cleats recommended; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Surprise Corner to Hoodoos Winter Trail | Variable winter conditions. | 20-01-2025: Slippery sections; Thin snow cover. Early winter conditions; Cleats recommended; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Upper Stoney Winter Loop | Variable winter conditions. | 20-01-2025: Compact snow; Slippery sections; Icy sections; Cleats recommended; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Sulphur Mountain Westside Winter Trail | Variable winter conditions. | 20-01-2025: Snow covered; Sturdy hiking boots and hiking poles recommended; Compact snow; Cleats recommended; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Ink Pots Winter Trail | Variable winter conditions. | 20-01-2025: Compact snow; Slippery sections; Icy sections; Cleats recommended; | Trail details |
Banff Area Fat Biking Trails
| Rating | Trail | Condition | Comment | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Easy |
Tunnel Mountain Multi-use Winter Trails | Variable conditions. | 20-01-2025: Biking excluding e-bikes is allowed; Thin snow cover. Early winter conditions; Trail groomed; Studded tires recommended; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Spray River East Winter Trail | Variable winter conditions. | 20-01-2025: Biking excluding e-bikes is allowed; Thin snow cover. Early winter conditions; Studded tires recommended; No dogs allowed; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Sundance Winter Trail | Variable conditions. | 20-01-2025: Biking including pedal-assist e-bikes is allowed; Snowmobile packed; Studded tires recommended; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Banff Avenue Winter Trail | Variable conditions. | 20-01-2025: Biking including pedal-assist e-bikes is allowed; Snowmobile packed; Studded tires recommended; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Tunnel Bench Winter Loop | Variable winter conditions. | 20-01-2025: Biking including pedal-assist e-bikes is allowed; Adhere to all posted warnings and closures along trails; Check the important bulletins for more information; Thin snow cover. Early winter conditions; Studded tires recommended; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Lake Minnewanka Winter Trail | Variable winter conditions. | 20-01-2025: Biking excluding e-bikes is allowed; Thin snow cover. Early winter conditions; Compact snow; Studded tires recommended; | Trail details |
Bow Valley Parkway Cross-Country Ski Trails
Trail maintenance in area for upcoming Lake Louise - Castle Junction Loppet/Ski race (January 19, 2025)
| Rating | Trail | Condition | Comment | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Easy |
Castle Junction Cross-country Ski Trails: Trail #1 - Castle Junction to Castle Mountain Lookout | Track-set | 17-01-2025: Thin snow cover. Early winter conditions; Track set; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Castle Junction Cross-country Ski Trails: Trail #2 | Track-set | 17-01-2025: Thin snow cover. Early winter conditions; Track set; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Castle Junction Cross-country Ski Trails: Trail #3 | Track-set | 17-01-2025: Thin snow cover. Early winter conditions; Track set; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Protection Mountain Campground to Castle Mountain Lookout | Track-set | 17-01-2025: Thin snow cover. Early winter conditions; Track set; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Baker Creek to Protection Mountain Campground | Track-set | 17-01-2025: Thin snow cover. Early winter conditions; Track set; | Trail details |
Lake Louise Area Snowshoeing and Winter Hiking Trails
Winter conditions. Avalanche risk! When travelling beyond the marked trails, or past an avalanche danger sign, assume that you are in avalanche country - your group should be prepared with the appropriate knowledge, skills and equipment. For more information on winter travel and how to stay safe in the mountains, visit Parks Canada - Mountain Safety - Winter Activities. Trail closures, fire smoke and machinery expected in the upper Lake Louise region from November 15, 2024 to March 31st, 2025 due to fire guard operations. Visit parks.canada.ca/Banff-bulletins for more information.
| Rating | Trail | Condition | Comment | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Easy |
Lake Louise Lakeshore Trail | Snow covered. | 19-01-2025: Compact snow; Slippery sections; Cleats recommended; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Fairview Lookout Trail | Snow covered. | 19-01-2025: Compact snow; Slippery sections; Cleats recommended; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Louise Creek Trail | Snow covered. | 19-01-2025: Compact snow; Slippery sections; Cleats recommended; | Trail details |
 Difficult |
Taylor Lake Trail | Snow covered. | 19-01-2025: Dogs on leash permitted; Avalanche danger beyond reaching the lake; Deadfall on trail; Unmaintained trail; Snowshoes or ice cleats recommended; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Laggan's Loop | See comment section | 22-12-2024: Trail closed (from November 15th to March 31st) due to fire management operations; | Trail details |
Lake Louise Area Cross-Country Ski Trails
Trail closures, fire smoke and machinery expected in the upper Lake Louise region from November 15, 2024 to March 31st, 2025 due to fire guard operations. Visit parks.canada.ca/Banff-bulletins for more information. Recent tracksetting: Jan 17 - Pipestone; Hector; Drummond; Merlin; Bow River Loop; Campground Loop; Moraine Lake Road; Upper Tramline; Lower Tramline; Townsite. Jan 02 - Lake Louise shoreline (machine packed only); Fairview. Jan 1 - Lake Louise surface.
| Rating | Trail | Condition | Comment | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Easy |
Moraine Lake Road | Good. | 17-01-2025: Avalanche risk: Beyond the viewpoint the trail crosses large avalanche paths.; When trailhead parking is full, access Moraine Lake Road via Upper Tramline trail and park at Lake Louise parking lot or Great Divide parking lot; No parking on roadways, or highways; No dogs allowed; Please walk, snowshoe or fat bike beside tracks set, not on tracks; Double trackset classic and skate; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Fairview Loop | Fair. | 02-01-2025: Double trackset classic; No dogs allowed; Please walk or snowshoe beside tracks set, not on tracks; Trail maintenance is currently suspended; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Lower Tramline | See comment section | 17-01-2025: Begin the Lower Tramline from the Bow River parking lot on Sentinel Road (near The Station Restaurant). You can use the old or the new route. CAUTION! - The new route between the Lower Tramline and the Bow River bridge on Lake Louise Drive is not track set, is steep, narrow and has sharp turns.; No dogs allowed; Old route: Single trackset classic; no dogs allowed;; Please walk, snowshoe or fat bike beside tracks set, not on tracks; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Upper Tramline | Good. | 17-01-2025: Single trackset classic; No dogs allowed; Please walk, snowshoe or fat bike beside tracks set, not on tracks; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Lake Louise Loop | See comment section | 03-01-2025: Lake Louise Loop is made up of two separately maintained trails: Lake Louise shoreline and Lake Surface ; Double trackset classic; Please walk or snowshoe beside tracks set, not on tracks; Dogs on leash permitted; Lake Louise shoreline - poor; Lake surface - poor; Trail maintenance is currently suspended; | Trail details |
| Difficult |
Upper Telemark | See comment section | 14-11-2024: Trail closed (from November 15th to March 31st) due to fire management operations; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Great Divide Trail | See comment section | 14-11-2024: Trail closed (from November 15th to March 31st) due to fire management operations; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Peyto Trail | See comment section | 14-11-2024: Trail closed (from November 15th to March 31st) due to fire management operations; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Lower Telemark | See comment section | 14-11-2024: Trail closed (from November 15th to March 31st) due to fire management operations; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Campground Loop | Good. | 17-01-2025: Double trackset classic and skate; Dogs on leash permitted; Please walk or snowshoe beside tracks set, not on tracks; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Bow River Loop | Good. | 17-01-2025: Single trackset classic; Dogs on leash permitted; Please walk, snowshoe or fat bike beside tracks set, not on tracks; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Townsite | Good. | 17-01-2025: Single trackset classic; Dogs on leash permitted; Please walk or snowshoe beside tracks set not on tracks; Access across CP railway tracks only via Lake Louise Drive sidewalk underpass.; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Pipestone Loop | Good. | 17-01-2025: Single trackset classic; Dogs on leash permitted; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Drummond | Good. | 17-01-2025: Single trackset classic; Dogs on leash permitted; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Hector | Good. | 17-01-2025: Single trackset classic; Dogs on leash permitted; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Merlin | Good. | 17-01-2025: Single trackset classic; Dogs on leash permitted; | Trail details |
Bow Summit Area on Icefields Parkway
Winter conditions. Avalanche risk! When travelling beyond the marked trails, or past an avalanche danger sign, assume that you are in avalanche country - your group should be prepared with the appropriate knowledge, skills and equipment. For more information on winter travel and how to stay safe in the mountains, visit parksmountainsafety.ca
| Rating | Trail | Condition | Comment | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Easy |
Peyto Lake Viewpoint | Snow covered with icy sections. | 06-01-2025: Snowshoes or ice cleats recommended; Trekking pole(s) recommended; Slippery sections; Stay on trail; | Trail details |
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